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Mal’s shock bench call in new-look Kangaroos; rising Manly star’s big reward: Pac Champs Teams

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  • October 15, 2024
Mal’s shock bench call in new-look Kangaroos; rising Manly star’s big reward: Pac Champs Teams

Just weeks after the NRL season ended, rugby league is back for the highly-anticipated Pacific Championships which begin this weekend.

Week one of the competition brings with a renewed look at how some of the biggest nations in our game will line up, with some big selection questions answered.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has unleashed a new-look Australian side — and made a big call on his bench utility.

Meanwhile, rising Manly star Lehi Hopoate has won the race to Tonga’s No.1 jersey and Eli Katoa caps a stellar season by earning a starting role in the second row.

Read on for the men’s and women’s team lists ahead of week one of the Pacific Championships.

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MEN’S

FRIDAY

Australia Kangaroos v Tonga XIII, 8:10pm AEDT at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Kangroos team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Xavier Coates 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Zac Lomax 6. Tom Dearden 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Cameron Murray 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Matt Burton 15. Mitch Barnett 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Hudson Young 18. Ben Hunt 19. Lindsay Smith 20. Reece Robson 21. Bradman Best

Analysis: Mal Meninga has opted for a new-look halves pairing in Cowboys star Tom Dearden and Blues Origin hero Mitch Moses. After playing on the wing in last year’s Pacific Championships, Dylan Edwards is the Kangaroos’ fullback, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Trbojevic start in the centres. Isaah Yeo skippers the side from lock, with fellow NSW teammates Angus Crichton and Cameron Murray named in the back row, where they’ve excelled for the Blues in the past. Interestingly, Matt Burton has won the bench utility role over Ben Hunt — who’s named in jersey No.18 — while Mitch Barnett caps a fine year with his Kangaroos debut via the bench.

Tonga team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3 Mosese Suli 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Sione Katoa 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Siliva Havili 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Eliese Katoa 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Soni Luke 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Taniela Paseka 17. Keaon Koloamatangi 18. Tolutau Koula 19. Siua Wong 20. Isaiah Iongi 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Analysis: Manly young gun Lehi Hopoate gets the nod at fullback over clubmate Tolu Koula, who has been unable to force his way into an incredible backline that includes Penrith grand final hero Paul Alamoti, Daniel Tupou, Sione Katoa and Moses Suli. Dolphins young gun Isaiya Katoa will wear the No.7, while Rabbitohs utility Siliva Havili starts at hooker. Eli Katoa and Haumole Olakau’atu have won the back row race, with Sitili Tupouniua and Keaon Koloamatangi set to come off the bench. Felise Kaufusi is named to start alongside Addin Fonua-Blake, who will also captain the side,in the front row. Taniela Paseka will be injected off the bench.

PM’s XIII put big score on PNG | 01:39

SATURDAY

Fiji Bati v PNG Kumuls, 7:10pm AEDT at HFC Bank Stadium, Suva

Fiji team: 1. Sunia Turuva 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Semi Valemei 6. Kevin Naiqama 7. Kurt Donoghue 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Penioni Tagituimua 10. Ben Nakubuwai 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Caleb Navale 14. Joe Lovodua 15. Taane Milne 16. Kylan Mafoa 17. Jordan Miller 18. James Valevatu 19. Ronald Philitoga 20. Nathan Kegg-King 21. Ratu Rinakama

Analysis: Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe has been named halfback for Fiji, and he’ll partner Kevin Naiqama in the halves, who recently announced his retirement from the Super League. Bulldogs star Viliame Kikau returns to the international frame and has been named in the second row. Rising Manly star Caleb Navale will lock the scrum with prop forward Tui Kamikamica to captain the side. While it’s his preferred position, we don’t see Sunia Turuva play fullback for Penrith, but he’s going to be wearing the No. 1 jersey on Saturday night with Semi Valemei and Maika Sivo the wingers.

PNG team: 1. Nene Macdonald 2. Elijah Roltinga 3. Robert Mathias 4. Rodrick Tai 5. Robert Derby 6. Kyle Laybutt 7. Lachlan Lam 8. Valentine Richard 9. Judah Rimbu 10. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 11. Rhyse Martin 12. Jeremiah Simbiken 13. Jack de Belin 14. Liam Horne 15. Koso Bandi 16. Sylvester Namo 17. Ila Alu 18. Dan Russell 19. Sanny Wabo 20. Morea Morea

Analysis: The Kumuls will be looking to get their Pacific Bowl defence out to a roaring start when they travel to Fiji. Queensland Cup Player of the Year Judah Rimbu was excellent against the Aus PM’s XIII last week and has earned a start at hooker. Jack de Belin headlines the four NRL contracted players that will line up for PNG. Titans forward Jacob Alick-Wiencke will start at prop with Kyle Laybutt and Lachlan Lam to make up an experienced PNG halves duo. Former Bulldog Rhyse Martin will captain the Kumuls in his 16th Test appearance.

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WOMEN’S

FRIDAY

Australia Jillaroos v PNG Orchids, 6:05pm AEDT at Suncorp Stadium

Jillaroos team: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Julia Robinson 3. Isabelle Kelly 4. Tiana Penitani 5. Jakiya Whitfeld 6. Ali Brigginshaw 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliot 9. Quincy Dodd 10. Shannon Mato 11. Kezie Apps 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Simaima Taufa 14. Olivia Higgins 15. Sarah Togatuki 16. Keilee Joseph 17. Mahalia Murphy 18. Jessica Sergis 19. Abbi Church 20. Jessika Ellison 21. Lauren Brown

Orchids team: 1. Mala Mark 2. Freda Waula 3. Belinda Gwasamun 4. Latoniya Norris 5. Lyiannah Allan 6. Sera Koroi 7. Delailah Ahose 8. Essay Banu 9. Ua Ravu 10. Elsie Albert 11. Sareka Mooka 12. Emily Veivers 13. Gloria Kaupa 14. Roswita Kapo 15. Jessikah Reeves 16. Talitha Kunjil 17. Leila Kerowa 18. Lilah Malabag 19. Meli Joe 20. Yolanda Taute 21. Frida Anthony

SATURDAY

Tonga XIII v Fetu Samoa, 5pm AEDT at HFC Bank Stadium, Suva

Tonga team: 1. Ana Malupo 2. Maatuleio Fotu-Moala 3. Litia Fusi 4. Kate Fallon 5. Lavinia Tauhalaliku 6. Emmanita Paki 7. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 8. Pani Hopoate 9. Jade Fonua 10. Tegan Dymock 11. Manilita Takapautolo 12. Vanessa Foliaki 13. Natasha Penitani 14. Tatiana Finau 15. Filomina Hanisi 16. Danii Perese 17. Paea Uilou 18. Shannon Muru 19. Seli Mailangi 20. Metanoia Fotu-Moala 21. Claudia Finau

Samoa team: 1. Evania Pelita 2. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala 3. Lindsay Tui 4. Sarina Masaga 5. Jessica Patea 6. Tavarna Papalii 7. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale 8. Anetta-Claudine Nu’uausala 9. Destiny Brill 10. Lakiha Clarke 11. Monalisa Soliola 12. Christian Pio 13. Sienna Lofipo 14. Jetaya Faifua 15. Simone Karpani 16. Pihuka Berryman-Duff 17. Evah McEwen 18. Jasmine Fogavini 19. Makayla Eli 20. Shontelle Stowers

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